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Community Ministries
- Teen Club
Teen
Club offers a variety of programming to teens
(grades 7-12) and older teens or young adults who
have previously participated and have either
graduated or moved on. Typically, the ages range
from 13 to 25. Most of the program has grown out of
the needs of the kids. For example, as Kids Club
kids graduated to 7th grade they wanted
to keep coming. After many attempts to have them
stop coming, we began to “get it”! They wanted a
teen program, and so the story continues…God driven
and spiritually based.
We offer 2 specific nights of
programming per week and a 5-6 week summer program.
Whenever our doors are open they come! They tell us
they feel safe and they feel they have a home
at Trinity.
Teen Club
The first night of programming is for everyone.
Kids can come for basketball, followed by dinner and
an hour of small group activities. The groups are
divided by grade and gender. The focus of these
groups, in addition to being a safe place and
building self esteem, is to develop life skills.
For example, we teach telephone etiquette, how to
address an envelope or how to fill out a job
application. We often invite guest resource people
from the community to discuss issues of health,
career development, or other topics of interest to
the youth.
Bible Study
Youth must meet specific criteria to participate in
the second night of programming. The focus of this
evening is Bible Study and leadership development.
It is open to those in 8th grade or
over. Students must have good behavior and
consistent attendance in other areas of the program
and have an interest in bible study. We meet for
approximately 3 ½ hours. Teens may come for
basketball, games, reading magazines, homework help,
chat time, meal preparation, etc. We meet for
dinner as “family” and learn the art of
communicating with one another about current events
or things important to each person in the day or
their lives. After dinner, students divide into
small groups for Bible Study and/or leadership
development activities.
Basketball Program
Teen Club members have the opportunity to
participate in our after school basketball program 3
days a week. It is a time for teens to play a sport
they know while enhancing their knowledge of the
game, learn basic rules of the game and also learn
team strategies.
Summer Program
This program runs for a 5-6 week period. The format
differs from the school year. Specific interest
classes are offered such as art, cooking, foreign
languages, auto mechanics. Summer focus is
different from year to year as we attempt to peak
the students interest. Tutoring is available upon
request. Volunteerism and special outings are often
a part of this component. Outings include such
things as going to the beach or biking. In addition,
scholarships are available to participate in camp or
other enrichment activities for youth in the
community or the church.
In addition, as we
walk life’s journey with our kids we offer the
following services
Mentoring
Building relationships by listening and being a
consistent presence are the most important things we
offer. Many of our teens have a mentor assigned to
them. A contact is made at least 2 times per
month. Many mentors plan outings with their
student, support them at sporting events, and assist
with “life’s questions”.
Tutoring
Tutoring can be and is available if the students,
parents or school requests our assistance.
Court System
Many times our teens find themselves in trouble with
the legal system. They often request our presence
with them at court hearings. When we hear one of
our students is in detention we attempt to make
contact with their family and their probation
officer. It is not our intention to be “nice church
folk” that pardon everything a child does, but it is
our intent to walk the journey with our kids and
give support and information as requested. We have
established relationships with many probation
officers and other court officials.
Schools/Education
Many students struggle at school or even struggle
getting to school. We attempt to stay on top of
attendance issues, grades and behaviors. Often,
personnel will call to discuss issues and decisions
regarding suggested consequences for choices kids
have made or simply to update us on the problems,
issues or successes of our kids. Our students love
to see a familiar face in their school buildings.
Simply by showing up once in a while, we let the
youth know we value them and their education. We
hope it makes a difference.
Housing
Issues
Often kids struggle with housing issues. They may
no longer be welcome in their homes, or they have
chosen to leave due to unmanageable situations, or
their families have been evicted. In any case, we
provide resources to them. We network with many
local agencies and try to stay current with such
things as Department of Human Services or where to
find the most up to date apartment listings. If a
child is homeless, we suggest and sometimes deliver
them to temporary housing, such as The Bridge at
Arbor Circle.
Family
Support
Family support is a big piece of what we offer. We
connect with many parents over a variety of
situations in which kids find themselves. Our
parents try to be the best parents they know how to
be and are open to suggestions. Some choose to call
or connect on a regular basis. Some call when there
is a crisis and others respond very positively to
calls made to them when we feel kids are struggling
for whatever reason, .i.e. behavior, health, etc.
Substance
Abuse
If we feel any of our kids are “using” we typically
confront them and offer support in getting the help
they may require. Although it is hard for students
to understand the long term implications of using or
understand the consequences of participation in the
use or sale of illegal substances, we do not
hesitate to discuss or seek help. Many kids are
open to this.
Counseling
Trinity is a place kids can feel heard. Many of our
students simply need a safe place to discuss issues
they face at home, school, or with friends. Some
need time with a counselor if issues are deeper. We
offer what we feel we can support. If we feel we
are not equipped to handle specific situations, we
refer them to outside agencies in the community that
specialize in their type of problem. We offer
whatever support we can throughout the process.
Activities of
Daily Living
Many times kids are not taught survival skills;
things like how to do laundry, do budgeting, cook,
sew, or how to get a job. We provide training as
necessary either through group or individual work.
We discuss social skills, hygiene, human sexuality
to name just a few. Significant time is spent
problem-solving around issues such as how to get up
on time for school or how to handle cooking without
a stove..
Taxes
Volunteer assistance is available upon request for
tax information or the filling out of student’s
1040’s.
Vocational
Many times teens are looking for jobs or making
work/career decisions. Time is spent in discussion
regarding the goals of the kids, what their
strengths and interests are, geographic boundaries
as they relate to transportation or comfort levels,
scheduling availability and job seeking skills.
Once they are employed, support is available ongoing
to be successful. This can be on site or take the
form of “coaching” outside the work environment.
This is provided so kids can learn the hidden rules
of middle class society and assist employers with an
understanding of our kids.
Computers
Four computers are available for our teens to use to
access information for school papers, generally
broaden their world, provide typing tutorials or
preparation for SAT’s or ACT’s, etc. Of course,
there can also be time for games and fun.
Spiritual
Development
Throughout our programming, we weave lessons from
scripture and tie it to real life situations. Youth
are open to these discussions and often pose very
important questions and issues.
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